Berks-Mont Association launches new project

Launches video project featuring member businesses, nonprofits

The Berks-Mont Business Association (BMBA) has developed a unique way to continue its mission of connecting community and commerce during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The membership organization has launched “2-Minute Tours,” a project that features brief video tours or introductions to member businesses and nonprofits from Berks and Montgomery counties.

The idea was brought to life by Amy Muzopappa, executive director of the BMBA, who began posting vignettes Monday on the organization’s Facebook page, Instagram and LinkedIn. She has also added a YouTube page where she is uploading the videos.

“I was trying to share with everyone that we are finding new ways to connect during this time,” she said about why she launched the project.

So far, seven videos have been completed, and another four are in the works, Muzopappa said in an interview Friday.

“Most of the videos I am shooting remotely, but I am also having them send me their own videos,” she said, adding that the videos are being done while keeping in mind the need to practice social distancing.

Muzopappa said she is new to making videos, but is adapting “to the world we’re in today.”

Muzopappa said one of the videos took about 30 minutes to complete — to collect the video and pictures.

“I am recording on my phone. They are amateur but really that’s the message. It doesn’t have to be perfect. We are working with the tools we have available right now,” she said.

Muzopappa, whose background is in pharmaceutical research and emergency medicine, began to reach out to members about the idea before Governor Tom Wolf issued his March 16 order closing all nonessential businesses.

“For me this project has been uplifting,” Muzopappa added.

The Boyertown Community

Ambulance used its BMBA “2-Minute Tours” video to ask for help and the community responded, Muzopappa said. More than $600 was raised from the video alone. The organization also received donations of gloves and masks from three local businesses and several community members.

Feedback to the videos has been good so far, according to Muzopappa. She said one of the videos — for Dancing Tree Creations, 220 South Reading Ave., Boyertown — had reached more than 3,000.

“In the comments, people said they wanted to visit the store — that’s a win,” Muzopappa added. “They wanted to make it a connection video. ‘We’re in this together’ was their message.”

Muzopappa said another business, Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy, 121 E. Philadelphia Ave. Boyertown, wasn’t quite sure what to offer as a “tour,” and instead came up with a 100 kick challenge — an at home fitness challenge.

The “2-Minute Tours” is not the only tool Muzopappa is using to maintain connections between the community and the business community.

The BMBA is sharing #CaughtYouCaringphotos on social media — sharing good news happening in

the area. One of the examples that has been shared was Adam’s Royal Carwash, 50 Bartman Ave in Gilbertsville, owned by Adam Heimer. Muzopappa said that when the governor’s order came and Heimer knew he would be closing, he started giving away free car washes — totaling almost 1,000.

The Berks-Mont Business Association has between 125 and 140 business and nonprofit members in Berks and Montgomery counties, according to Muzopappa.

To share a story with the BMBA email info@bmba. biz. To view the videos visit https://www.facebook.com/ BMBA.biz/ or www.bmba. biz/communityconnection

“I was trying to share with everyone that we are finding new ways to connect during this time.” — Amy Muzopappa, executive director, Berks-Mont Business Association

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Berks-Mont Business Association has launched a video project to help maintain connections during the coronavirus pandemic. “2-Minute Tours” launched this week, giving viewers a peek at area businesses and nonprofits. This photo shows Studio B Art Gallery in Boyertown and Judy Stahl from Studio B.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Lyn and Beth Camella-Rich, owners of Boyertown’s Dancing Tree Creations, are seen in a screen shot from their “2-Minute Tours” video created by the Berks-Mont Business Association. The video project is meant to help the networking organization maintain connections.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in Boyertown is shown in a photo from her “2-Minute Tours” video.

SUBMITTED PHOTO This photo shows Adam Heimer of Adam’s Car Wash in Gilbertsville. Heimer gave away nearly 1,000free car washes before Gov. Wolf’s order closing non-essential businesses went into effect. He was recognized in the Berks-Mont Business Association’s #Caught You Caring campaign.